Comparo...
So, are any of your LR4 owners prior LR3 owners? How do they compare?
I'm very happy with my '05 LR3 and stare longingly at the LR4s wondering if I should upgrade.
I'm curious about a few things;
- The MPG on the LR4 is worse than my LR3. I still get 20 on the highway. Don't see that on the LR4 tag, anyway. (if I don't reset the computer for a while, it still averages out to 14-15 for my around town driving.)
- How is the new engine?
- Reliability? I'm not talking major breakdowns, but what about the little nit-pick things? Every 7500 I still have some minor item I'll have them check which usually involves a sensor, computer upgrade, or they find a worn bushing or arm that I didn't know about.
Appreciate any feedback. Thanks!
-todd
I was going to buy a 2010 LR4 HSE and ended up getting a 2008 LR3 HSE Lux.
Here are my thoughts as I have actually driven both cars quite a bit (via many test drives and quite a few LR4 Loners).
MPG - I honestly thing they will roughly be the same. For me, i was so addicted to the gas pedal in the LR4 that im sure I was only getting about 17mpg on the highway. Because of the new engine/transmission and direct injection, im fairly sure you get get 19 - 20 on the highway with a light foot and moderate speeds. I am able to get about 19mpg in my LR3, fully loaded.
Reliability - Every model will have some sort of issue. Lets be honest here, they are Land Rovers after all. I think there were a couple things that were basically all software related in the first run of the 2010 model(key fob not recognized and something else with the nave screen). To the best of my knowledge, they have corrected for late 2010 and 2011.
Real life comparisons, thoughts and experience differences:
- The LR4 seems to have more vibration in the wheel/pedal under harder acceleration.
- The LR4 has a light touch on the steering. I feel like the wheel floats when turning it, very smooth. With that said though, my LR3 feels more "settled" at highway speed.
- The less utilitarian Interior of the LR4 is pretty stinkin' nice ( i recently had a HSE Lux loaner that was black on black with black piano wood trim. amazing looking)....huge improvement over the LR3. It would seem they have done away with a good amount of dash seems and trim pieces. this organically reduces the amount of squeaks and creeks you hear in the LR3. I have never driven an LR4 that has more than 10k miles on it though...the cabin could get louder as the car puts on more miles...who knows.
- The LR4 navigation screen visibility is improved but I still think the interface sucks. Its better than the LR3, yes, but still not as good as others on the market.
- the Standard, non ipod interface for Aux audio is still crap in the LR4, no change there.
- The LR4 seats (front) feel a bit more supportive than the LR3, both are extremely comfortable, though.
- The LR4 seats (back) have a more bucket feel to them are more comfortable than the rear seats of the LR3.
- The handling feels very similar to the LR3. The more powerful engine makes the car feel more sporty but the body roll is still there on cornering. I am not 100% sure on this but i think the LR4 has a new suspension set up? It does feel a bit more stable than the LR3 but not MUCH better.
-Interior room and usability feels unchanged from LR3 to LR4. 3rd row seats are still a mild PITA to get set up. I could care less about this, though. Its not awful and the folded space is WAY better than the 4Runner or New Lexus GX.
I cant really speak to the off road changes. I have taken the LR3 on few light trips in the dirt/woods. It performed as well as you could expect...probably exactly like your 2005.
That is all I can think of right now. I would suggest getting a year old LR4 in 2011 or 2012 to make sure all the bugs have been flushed out.